SUSSEX V SURREY at Hove (LVCC1), 16-19 MAY 2007

A month ago I would have described Sussex as one of the leading contenders for this season’s championship title. But now, after kicking off their campaign with a victory over Kent at Hove, the Martlets have lost their last two matches. It has all been down to one thing - their brittle batting.

Just one batsman, Richard Montgomerie (225 championship runs at an average of 45.00 to date) has reached three figures and nobody has got past fifty on more than one occasion. The loss of all-rounders Michael Yardy (to a broken finger) and Luke Wright (to a rib problem) has clearly had an impact, but one would have expected the likes of Chris Adams, Murray Goodwin, Carl Hopkinson and Robin Martin-Jenkins to all be averaging over thirty with the bat, not less than thirty.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior is on England duty, which may not disadvantage the hosts. Despite averaging 2.25 dismissals per innings, Prior is currently averaging just 14.80 as a batsman. Those who recall Andrew Hodd, from his time with Surrey, will certainly expecting him to fare no worse.

The bowling has been the Martlets’ only saving grace, but they will not care to be reminded that their attack is predominantly of Pakistani origin. Mushtaq Ahmed (15 championship wickets at 30.66 runs apiece) and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have so far sent down nearly 60% of their side’s overs this summer and account for nearly 75% of the wickets taken by Sussex bowlers.

Alistair Brown needs one more hundred for 45 first-class career centuries, while Mark Butcher currently has 34. Rikki Clarke needs 25 runs for 4,000 in his f-c career. Richard Clinton needs 100 runs for 1,000 f-c runs for Surrey. Finally, Ian Salisbury has 848 f-c career wickets.

Azhar Mahmood's back is not considered up to him being risked in a four-day match, but, surprisingly, James Benning does not retain his berth as the Pakistani's replacement. Surrey will therefore bring in one of Mohammad Akram or Richard Clinton. Ian Salisbury returns to front-up the Brown Caps spin attack, which means that Chris Schofield misses out.

The weather forecast for the first two days looks none too promising, so a draw is on the cards. But, as with last week's clash with Warwickshire, expect Surrey to hold the upper hand, especially if Sussex's batting headaches continue.

C Hopkinson, R Montgomerie, M Goodwin, C Nash, C Adams (capt), A Hodd (wk), R Martin-Jenkins, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mushtaq Ahmed, J Kirtley and J Lewry. 

Graham Burgess and Barry Dudleston.

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